LECOM Awarded $4 Million SAMHSA Grant to Launch New Early Childhood Wellness Initiative

The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has been awarded a $4 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through its Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health (LAUNCH) program. 

The funding, amounting to $800,000 per year over the next five years, will allow LECOM to establish Erie County Project LAUNCH. The goal of the project is to promote the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral development of children from birth to 8 years of age across the county. 

The program will focus on early identification and intervention for developmental concerns. The program will equip caregivers and professionals with essential training and providing seamless access to resources and referrals through a dedicated central resource center for the community. 

“We are honored to receive this substantial grant from SAMHSA,” Dr. Danielle Hansen, regional president of LECOM Health, said. “This funding and the Erie County Project LAUNCH represent a monumental shift in how we approach early intervention and childhood mental health in our community and allow us to build on the existing system of care to not only address the immediate needs of young children and their families but also builds a foundation for long-term health and success.”

According to LECOM, by September 2029, Erie County Project LAUNCH plans to train and resource more than 6,000 Erie County residents in prevention and mental health promotion.